A client is scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound in two weeks to assess fetal growth and development during pregnancy.

Which of these statements made by the client indicates that further teaching is needed?

This finding indicates that the umbilical cord is being compressed, which can reduce the blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus.

Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in the fetal heart rate (FHR) that vary in shape, duration, and degree of fall below the baseline.

They are seen as W- or U-shaped waves on the monitor.

Choice B is wrong because fetal hypoxia is not indicated by variable decelerations, but by late decelerations, which are gradual decreases in the FHR that begin after the peak of the contraction and return to baseline after the contraction ends.

Late decelerations are associated with uteroplacental insufficiency, which means that the placenta is not delivering enough oxygen to the fetus.

Choice C is wrong because normal placental function is not indicated by variable decelerations, but by reassuring FHR patterns, such as moderate variability (6 to 25 beats per minute) and accelerations (increases in the FHR above the baseline).

Normal placental function ensures adequate fetal oxygenation and well-being.

Choice D is wrong because adequate fetal oxygenation is not indicated by variable decelerations, but by reassuring FHR patterns, such as moderate variability and accelerations.

Adequate fetal oxygenation means that the fetus is not experiencing hypoxia or distress.

Normal ranges for FHR are 110 to 160 beats per minute at term and 120 to 160 beats per minute before term.

Normal ranges for uterine contractions are 2 to 5 contractions in 10 minutes, lasting less than 90 seconds each.

An NST is a test that measures the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement.

It is a non-invasive and simple way to assess fetal well-being.

An NST may be recommended to further evaluate fetal well-being if the CST result is equivocal, meaning that occasional but not persistent late decelerations are present.

Choice B. Amniocentesis is wrong because it is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle into the uterus to collect amniotic fluid for genetic testing or fetal lung maturity.

It is not used to evaluate fetal well-being in response to contractions.

Choice C. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is wrong because it is an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to create detailed pictures of the fetus and the placenta.

It is not used to evaluate fetal well-being in response to contractions.

Choice D. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is wrong because it is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a catheter or a needle into the placenta to collect chorionic villi for genetic testing.

It is not used to evaluate fetal well-being in response to contractions.

Normal ranges for CST are negative (normal) or positive (abnormal).

Equivocal and unsatisfactory are special categories of test outcomes that require further testing.

Normal ranges for NST are reactive (reassuring) ornon-reactive (non-reassuring).